#ShannonCruise - Cruisers in the West of Ireland are invited to join the inaugural Shannon Estuary Cruise next month.

The seven-day cruise from 17-23 July is the brainchild of Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland Commodore Richard Glynn, a life-long Kilrush man with a love of the Shannon Estuary and surrounding sailing waters.

Foynes Yacht Club, Tralee Bay Sailing Club, Tarbert Maritime Sailing Club, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and the Shannon turf boat builders Seol Sionna are already lined up to take part in the cruise, which departs Kilrush on Monday 17 July via the Ballybunion Caves for Fenit.

On Tuesday 18 the cruise heads for Brandon via the Magharee Islands, then remains at anchor on Wednesday 19 for the sailors to go ashore and climb Mount Brandon.

Thursday 20 is a whale watching day en route from Brandon to Dingle, while there will be more opportunities to spot whales, dolphins and more via the Blasket Islands as the cruise proceeds to Smerwick Harbour on Friday 21.

On Saturday 22 a visit to Scattery Island is scheduled before arrival in Foynes for the air show, then a night’s rest before the Tarbet Regatta and the finish at Kilrush Marina on Sunday 21.

The cruise is open to all, especially boats from local clubs along the route, with participants welcome for the whole week or to hop in and out at their leisure. All stops on the schedule are subject to favourable weather conditions.

For further information, contact Cruising Captain Fergal Stynes at 087 626 2130 or Commodore Richard Glynn at 086 120 3144.